Does Kavanaugh Have a 'Better Than 50-50' Chance to Get Confirmed?
*By Amanda Weston*
Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's chances at confirmation may have increased this week.
"I don't know what Jeff Flake is thinking at the moment, or what these other Senators are thinking, but I think delaying for a week certainly helps them maybe feel a little better about voting yes," Eric Boehm, a reporter at Reason, told Cheddar Thursday.
He put the judge's chances at "better than 50/50, but I don't think it's a done deal yet."
That statement comes as a report detailing the FBI's investigation of sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh was made available to Senators Thursday morning. Legislators have a day to review the findings, which reportedly do not corroborate Prof. Christine Blasey Ford's account of the incident, ahead of a vote Friday.
Ford's legal team, though, has criticized the investigation, arguing the FBI did not interview her or any witnesses that could have backed up her story.
“We are profoundly disappointed that after the tremendous sacrifice she made in coming forward, those directing the FBI investigation were not interested in seeking the truth," Ford's team said [in a statement](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/senators-prepare-to-review-fbi-report-on-kavanaugh-after-early-morning-arrival/2018/10/04/394dbaf8-c7be-11e8-b2b5-79270f9cce17_story.html?utm_term=.02c3b4d2620a).
The FBI, under pressure from Senate Majority Leader Lindsey Graham (R-SC), closed its probe on Wednesday, less than a week after the inquiry began. Boehm suggested Democrats would probably have preferred a longer investigation.
He said now it's crucial to keep an eye on the swing voters, Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). He said there has also been some indication Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia may vote to confirm Kavanaugh. All three Senators have said the report may sway their decisions.
"We still don't really have a solid indication from any of them whether their positions have changed since last week, when really none of them had solid positions," Boehm said. "So today's the big day because of what might be in this new report."
Shortly after Boehm's interview, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) released [a statement](https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-fbi-work-complete-it-s-time-vote) saying the FBI report had "nothing in it that we didn't already know."
"These uncorroborated accusations have been unequivocally and repeatedly rejected by Judge Kavanaugh, and neither the Judiciary Committee nor the FBI could locate any third parties who can attest to any of the allegations," Grassley said.
He went on to call Kavanaugh "one of the most qualified nominees to every come before the Senate."
President Trump continued to focus on the Democrats Thursday, two days after he mocked Ford's testimony at a rally in Mississippi.
"This is now the 7th. time the FBI has investigated Judge Kavanaugh," Trump [tweeted](https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1047853098365079553). "If we made it 100, it would still not be good enough for the Obstructionist Democrats."
As for Grassley's vote, he's all but given Kavanaugh the robe.
“It’s time to vote," Grassley said. "I’ll be voting to confirm Judge Kavanaugh.”
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/senators-review-fbi-report-on-kavanaugh-allegations).
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